How to watch 2026 WNBA Draft: TV info, players to know, updated order

Cue the glimmering lights, the bright orange carpet, rapturous visions of a limitless future. The WNBA’s 30th annual rookie draft goes live on Monday night. This is where hoop dreams get professional upgrades, and where championship aspirants lay foundations. It’s also probably where commissioner Cathy Engelbert gets booed.

The rebuilding Dallas Wings are on the clock. The stacked Minnesota Lynx lurk behind them, thanks to some cunning trade foresight. Two new teams jump into the rotation after their frenzied expansion draft. Here’s what to expect from it all.

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How to watch the 2026 WNBA Draft

Venue: The Shed at Hudson Yards — New York City

Time: 7 p.m. ET, Monday

TV: ESPN

Streaming: Fubo (Stream Free Now)

ESPN programs are also available with an ESPN Unlimited subscription.

The 2026 draft order

First round:

1. Dallas Wings

2. Minnesota Lynx (from Chicago Sky)

3. Seattle Storm (from Los Angeles Sparks)

4. Washington Mystics

5. Chicago Sky (from Connecticut Sun)

6. Toronto Tempo

7. Portland Fire

8. Golden State Valkyries

9. Washington Mystics (from Seattle Storm)

10. Indiana Fever

11. Washington Mystics (from New York Liberty via Connecticut Sun)

12. Connecticut Sun (from Phoenix Mercury)

13. Atlanta Dream

14. Seattle Storm (from Las Vegas Aces)

15. Connecticut Sun (from Minnesota Lynx via Washington Mystics)

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The Wings hold the No. 1 pick for a second consecutive season. They took franchise cornerstone Paige Bueckers last spring. Dallas tied Chicago for the W’s worst record at 10-34, then won the draft lottery in November.

The Sky landed with the second selection, but it goes to the Lynx, perennial title contenders who went a league-best 34-10 in the regular season. Minnesota swapped spots with Chicago as part of last year’s deal for the No. 11 pick, which the Sky used to take Hailey Van Lith. The lefty guard averaged just 3.5 points per game during her rookie campaign.

Another playoff incumbent has the third pick. Seattle was one missed jumper from a first-round upset of eventual champion Las Vegas. The Storm now get to load up with a prime prospect. Two years ago, they traded Kia Nurse and the No. 4 pick that became Rickea Jackson for Los Angeles’ 2026 first-rounder. Nurse left the Sparks in free agency after 2024; Jackson is averaging 14 points per game through her first two seasons.

Washington is slated in the fourth spot. Last draft, the Mystics took Sonia Citron at No. 3 and Kiki Iriafen at No. 4 — both ascendants earned All-Rookie and All-Star honors. Chicago is up fifth, due to a pick swap with Connecticut that sent Marina Mabrey to the Sun.

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A coin flip was held to settle positioning between Portland and Toronto, the league’s newest franchises. The Tempo won the toss, then elected to take the higher No. 6 pick. The Fire got first dibs in the expansion draft, and thus gets the lower No. 7 pick on Monday.

The 2026 draft board

It’s a strong draft class for those in need of a backcourt boost. Azzi Fudd of UConn is a first-team All-American, coming off impressive shooting splits of 48.1/44.7/95.5 percent. TCU’s Olivia Miles arrives with multiple March Madness triple-doubles across her collegiate career. Raven Johnson has two national championships as a South Carolina staple. LSU guard Flau’jae Johnson is a polished bucket-getter … and a rising rapper.

This draft is loaded with international talent as well. Spanish center Awa Fam is expected to be a top pick, due to her offensive mobility and switchable defense. A similar hype has built around French guard Nell Angloma — scouts like her downhill aggression.

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The new champions of college basketball will be heavily represented in this draft. Star center Lauren Betts has towering upside on defense and off the glass, while combo guard Kiki Rice is a two-way playmaker and spot-up shooter Gianna Kneepkens brings deep perimeter range. UCLA started five seniors en route to its NCAA Tournament domination, and each one has first-round potential.

Here are the 15 invitees to the draft night festivities, listed in alphabetical order by last name:

Nell Angloma (France)

Lauren Betts (UCLA)

Angela Dugalić (UCLA)

Awa Fam Thiam (Spain)

Azzi Fudd (Connecticut)

Gabriela Jaquez (UCLA)

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Flau’jae Johnson (LSU)

Raven Johnson (South Carolina)

Gianna Kneepkens (UCLA)

Ta’Niya Latson (South Carolina)

Cotie McMahon (Ole Miss)

Olivia Miles (TCU)

Madina Okot (South Carolina/Kenya)

Kiki Rice (UCLA)

Marta Suárez (Spain)

The WNBA Draft on ESPN

Monday’s proceedings begin with the “WNBA Draft Orange Carpet Special,” airing at 5:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Potential draftees and celebrity guests make chic entrances. It’s become something of a basketball fashion show — Coach is the presenting sponsor. Last time, participants included actress Aubrey Plaza, presenter Elle Duncan and glorious mascot Ellie the Elephant. Saniya Rivers made a statement with her hand-painted bag:

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The orange carpet show is hosted outside the venue by Malika Andrews. Alongside her are Monica McNutt, Andraya Carter and Chiney Ogwumike, the No. 1 pick in 2014.

Thirty minutes before the draft, ESPN airs its “WNBA Countdown” pregame program. Andrews, Carter and Ogwumike are on that studio desk. Duncan was a “WNBA Countdown” host, but she now leads Netflix’s live sports coverage.

The draft telecast itself toggles between picks at the podium, reactions from fans, analysis from the desk and live interviews with selected players. Carter, Hall of Famer Rebecca Lobo and Holly Rowe flank host Ryan Ruocco (“you bet!“). There are broadcast set pieces around the league’s 30th anniversary, voiced by fellow Hall of Famer and inaugural WNBA pick Tina Thompson.

Last 10 No. 1 picks

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This article originally appeared in The Athletic.

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